The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) has announced its weekly awards following Week 8 of the 2026 football season. Ferris State quarterback Chase Carter (Offensive Player of the Week), Saginaw Valley State linebacker James McDonald (Defensive Player of the Week) and Ferris State kicker Eoin O'Sullivan (Special Teams Player of the Week) were honored.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Chase Carter, Ferris State
Ferris State University junior quarterback Chase Carter led the top-ranked Bulldogs to a hard-fought 27-20 win over #12 Michigan Tech on Saturday at Top Taggart Field. In his most extended action of the season, Carter ran for a team-high 141 yards on 25 carries, averaging 5.6 yards per rush, while adding 11-of-23 passing for 122 yards and two scores. His play helped the Bulldogs build a 24-7 lead in the game before closing out the victory in the fourth period. FSU finished with 382 yards of total offense in a balanced effort as the Bulldogs tied for second-place all-time in NCAA Division II history by winning their 38th game in a row.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: James McDonald, Saginaw Valley State
James McDonald has earned his first GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week award. McDonald led the Cardinal defense with eight tackles and forced a second-quarter fumble. SVSU recorded five total takeaways in the 27-20 win on Saturday; it is the first time since 1985 that SVSU has beaten GVSU in back-to-back seasons. The victory pulled Saginaw Valley State to a 4-4 overall record and a 2-2 mark in GLIAC play.
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Eoin O'Sullivan, Ferris State
Ferris State University sophomore specialist Eoin O’Sullivan had another big day as the top-ranked Bulldogs beat #12 Michigan Tech 27-20 on Saturday at Top Taggart Field. O’Sullivan kicked a 50-yard field goal to close the first half as FSU took a 17-7 lead that they would not relinquish. In addition, he kicked off six times for 374 yards, averaging 62.3 yards a kick, with four touchbacks. He also punted twice for 83 yards while averaging 41.5 yards, including a 52-yard punt. His play helped the Bulldogs tie for second-place all-time in NCAA Division II history for most consecutive wins as the Bulldogs won their 38th-straight game going back to 2024.
HONORABLE MENTION
Offense: Noah Dobert (Northern Michigan), Cephus Harris (Davenport), Connor Wolf (Saginaw Valley State)
Defense: Ryan Ahern (Ferris State), Cash Ruff (Davenport), Carter Schmitt (Northern Michigan)
Special Teams: Ian Jenkins (Davenport)
